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Case Studies

Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe Serves Up Employee Experience Through Personalized, Responsive Benefits

Organizational Snapshot

At Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe, our mission is simple: to be a place where everyone feels welcome. This includes ensuring our team feels safe and appreciated while creating an inviting atmosphere for guests from the moment they walk through the door. Our core values center around care—care for the food, the guests, and each other. From sourcing quality, affordable ingredients to providing exceptional hospitality, we strive to make everyone feel like part of the Kerbey Lane family.

Policy

Best Place for Working Parents Designation

Region

Austin

Headquartered in Austin, TX

Industry

Food/Restaurant

Size

Medium

More than 800 employees

Male/Female

42% / 58%

Founded

1980

“Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe's family-friendly policies are a direct investment in our team, the heart of our iconic restaurant chain. By prioritizing tailored, supportive programs and benefits, we build a foundation of trust and stability, empowering our staff to thrive both professionally and personally. This commitment has dramatically reduced turnover and fostered a resilient, supportive culture, which directly translates into the warm, welcoming experience our guests value.”

Mason Ayer

CEO, Kerbey Lane

Family Friendly Policy Overview

Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe’s family-friendly initiatives are designed to ensure team members and their loved ones feel supported and cared for. These benefits have been a cornerstone of their culture, helping them retain employees and strengthen trust, especially during challenging times like the pandemic.

Employee Feedback: Quarterly HR office hours and exit interviews allow the company to continuously improve and personalize its policies based on employee input. This feedback-driven approach ensures policies are impactful and address the real needs of the team.
Weekly Food Allowance: In 2021, Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe introduced a $75 weekly allowance for employees to take home food for their households. This benefit has been transformative, especially for team members juggling multiple jobs, school, or single parenthood.
New Child Bonus: To celebrate new parents, the company offers a $500 one-time, per-child bonus for employees welcoming a new baby, giving them support as they get settled with their new family member.
Advanced Scheduling: For over 15 years, Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe has posted schedules four weeks in advance, giving employees predictability to plan their lives. Shifts can be traded across all 10 locations, and employees receive a bonus for picking up a shift to help colleagues with child-related needs, promoting work-life balance and recognition for exemplifying the team’s supportive culture.
Paid Time Off: Employees, both full-time and part-time, are eligible for paid time off to rest and recharge. PTO hours are calculated to include not just base wages but also tips, ensuring true financial stability during time away.
Kids Eat Free Tuesdays: Supporting families extends to guests as well. On Tuesdays, kids eat for free, turning family meals into a more affordable and enjoyable experience.
Financial Wellness: Through open-book finances and profit sharing, employees can learn how to read P&L statements, contribute ideas for cost-saving initiatives, and benefit directly from the company’s success. This has empowered many team members to improve their own financial situations, with stories of employees paying off debt and buying homes using the tools they learned.

Policy Implementation Overview

Retention and Trust: During the pandemic, like many in the restaurant industry, Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe had to furlough the majority of its team, which impacted trust within the organization. Post-pandemic, rebuilding trust became a top priority, and family-friendly policies played a key role in achieving this. Today, the turnover rate at Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe has dropped from 300% in 2020 to 58%, significantly below the industry average, reflecting the trust that has been restored. Employees stay for an average of 2.4 years, which has grown significantly since 2020. Additionally, we’ve grown our female employee population – highlighting how Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe is a great workplace for mothers.
Recruiting Skilled Workers: Family-friendly benefits such as a weekly food allowance, child bonuses, and advanced scheduling attract candidates who value both their personal and professional lives. These benefits position Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe as a standout employer in the restaurant industry.
Guest Experience: Alongside caring for employees, Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe prioritizes care for its food and guests. With a motivated and fulfilled staff, the cafe creates positive and welcoming experiences for guests at its restaurants.

The Impact

Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe’s family-friendly policies create a supportive environment where employees and their families feel valued and cared for. By prioritizing initiatives that strengthen trust and provide stability, the cafe fosters a motivated and loyal workforce. These efforts show that Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe is committed to helping team members balance their careers and family lives, reinforcing its dedication to a people-first culture.